How to easily plan and plant a fall garden

Planning the Fall Garden

The best time to start planning your fall garden is while it’s still summer. When you actually plant will depend on where you live—some folks start as early as July, while others wait until October. With good planning and frost-tolerant veggies, you can keep harvesting well into autumn.

Some fall and winter vegetables, like cabbage and cauliflower, give just one harvest per plant, while others can be cut and regrown multiple times. If you’re not sure how much to plant for your family, these handy printable sheets can help. Just fill out the form below to get them emailed to you.

Planning Your Fall Garden

1. Check your gardening notes – Look back at your last few years’ layouts to make sure you’re rotating crops and not planting the same thing in the same spot. If keeping a notebook feels overwhelming, a printable gardening notebook can help you stay organized.
2. List cool-weather veggies your family enjoys – This is the most important step! Be realistic—sure, it’s fun to try new things (like homegrown sweet peas if store-bought ones aren’t your favorite). But if your family won’t eat cabbage, don’t plant 30 heads of it.
3. Find your average frost date – Use this calculator (or this chart for Canada). Remember, it’s just an average—frost could come earlier or later. Count backward from that date to see how many frost-free days you have left.
4. Read seed packets carefully – They tell you “days to maturity,” which starts when true leaves appear (or when you transplant). If your first frost is in 60 days but your crop needs 70 days and isn’t frost-tolerant, you’re taking a risk.
5. Choose fast-maturing varieties – If your growing season is short, pick plants with fewer “days to harvest.” For example, go for the 40-day cabbage over the 45-day one.
6. Calculate sow-by dates – Take the “days to harvest” from the seed packet and count backward from your frost date. For example, if frost hits around October 15th and cabbage takes 45 days, plant by September 1st—but earlier is better since seeds take time to sprout, and cooler temps slow growth.

Planting the Fall Garden

• Ask local gardeners for tips – Fall gardening varies by climate, so chat with someone in your area who stretches their season as long as possible.
• Try succession planting – Since many cool-weather crops (like cabbage) produce all at once, stagger your planting. Sow seeds every few weeks, or mix transplants with seeds—the seed-grown plants will mature later.
• Know frost-tolerant plants – Onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and parsley can handle frost (and even thrive in it). In milder climates, they may not need covering, but in colder areas, they will.
• Use row covers or tunnels – These protect plants from snow, which can actually insulate them. (Mother of a Hubbard has great success with this method!)
• Grow indoors – With a sunny window or grow lights, you can raise sprouts and microgreens inside. In very cold climates, a greenhouse (like Northern Homestead’s) is a smart option.

If you’re in a warm-winter climate, check out our Gardening Through the Year post for month-by-month ideas!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Planning and Planting a Fall Garden

1. When should I start planning my fall garden?
The best time to start planning your fall garden is in late summer. This allows you to assess your space and decide on which crops to plant. Depending on your region, you can begin planting anywhere from July to October.

2. How do I determine my first frost date?
Find your average first frost date by using a frost calculator or a regional chart. This gives you an idea of when you need to plan for harvesting or protecting your crops. Keep in mind that frost dates are averages, so frost could arrive earlier or later than expected.

3. How do I know how much to plant for my family?
It’s important to focus on what your family will actually eat. For instance, don’t plant more cabbage if no one in your household enjoys it. Keep your selections practical and based on consumption. You can use printable planning sheets to help organize your planting and estimate quantities based on family size.

4. What are the best cool-weather veggies to grow in the fall?
Some good options for cool-weather vegetables include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, kale, lettuce, and spinach. Choose crops that are frost-tolerant for the best results.

5. How do I calculate the sowing date for my crops?
Start by checking the “days to maturity” on the seed packet. Then, count backward from your first frost date. For example, if your frost date is October 15th and a particular crop takes 45 days to mature, plant it by September 1st. For shorter growing seasons, select faster-maturing varieties to ensure your plants have enough time to mature.

6. Can I grow vegetables that aren’t frost-tolerant in the fall?
If a vegetable isn’t frost-tolerant, you can still grow it by using row covers, tunnels, or cold frames to protect it from the cold. This helps to insulate the plants and extends the growing season.

7. What is succession planting, and should I use it for fall gardening?
Succession planting is the practice of planting crops at intervals rather than all at once. This allows for staggered harvests and can help prevent all your vegetables from being ready at the same time. It’s especially helpful for crops like cabbage, where you can plant some early and others later.

8. How do I protect my fall crops from frost?
To protect your crops from frost, you can use row covers, which shield plants from snow and cold temperatures. In milder climates, plants like broccoli and cabbage may survive without covering. For colder areas, consider using tunnels or cold frames to protect your vegetables.

9. Can I grow vegetables indoors in the fall?
Yes, you can grow sprouts, microgreens, or even some vegetables indoors. If you have access to a sunny window or grow lights, it’s possible to grow your own greens indoors during the fall. For extremely cold climates, a greenhouse may also be a viable option.

Conclusion

Planting a fall garden is a wonderful way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce well into autumn. With careful planning, choosing the right frost-tolerant vegetables, and using techniques like succession planting, row covers, and indoor gardening, you can enjoy a successful and productive fall garden. Start planning early, pay attention to your climate zone, and make the most of your available space! Happy gardening!